Around Windham County

Posted
Thursday, February 7, 2013 10:21 pm

Friday February 8, 2013

In Bellows Falls ...

WORMS AND COMPOST: As the opening event of its Spring Workshop Series, the Greater Falls Community Garden Collaborative is hosting a workshop where participants will learn to build a worm composting kit.

The workshop will be held on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 1 p.m., at the United Church of Bellow Falls.

Participation is limited to 10 people and registration is required. Call Tim Stevenson at 802-869-2141. The workshop is free; however, there is a $25 materials, which includes worms, fee. Participants are encouraged to bring a power drill. Tea and coffee will be available.

In this workshop, participants will build a compact, portable composter that promotes worm health to efficiently turn your kitchen scraps into beautiful black gold compost year-round. It runs nearly odor-free, so you can keep the composter in the house where it’s warm. The design is large enough for a typical two- or three-person household; for larger loads simply add more composters.

COIN DRIVE: Central Elementary school is holding a Coin Drive to collect money for the continuation of its garden project. The Coin Drive will run through March 15. If you would like to contribute to this project, bring your coins to Central Elementary School, 50 School St. Extension, Bellows Falls.

For the past couple of years, with the assistance of grant funds, the school has added several raised beds for growing vegetables. Funds also helped pay for the assistance of Melissa Post, retired kindergarten teacher and master gardener. Students were able to harvest before the end of school and again in the fall. The students also grew and transplanted flowers all around the perimeter of the George Street playground.

Funds earned through the Coin Drive are needed to continue what was a very successful garden project last year. For questions about the project, call the school: 802-463-4346.

In Brattleboro...

SWAP PROGRAM CANCELED: The Windham Solid Waste Management District Swap Program has been canceled due to storm predictions. The program will be open on Feb. 16 instead.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Overnight volunteers are needed for the Winter Overflow Shelter at the First Baptist Church at 190 Main St. The hours of the shifts are 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. or 1 a.m. to 7 a.m. Contact the Drop In Center at overflow.bratt@gmail.com or call 802-257-5415.

THRIFT STORE: Mary’s Closet will be open on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sponsored by and located at First Congregational Church, 888 Western Avenue in West Brattleboro, Mary’s Closet is a thrift shop selling gently used and new clothing for men and women. The February sale of winter clearance continues with footwear, sweaters, jerseys, fleece jackets, slacks, outer ski jackets, hats and scarfs all at sale prices.

CAMERA CLUB MEETING: The Brattleboro Camera Club will meet Monday, Feb. 11, at 6:30 p.m. at Brooks Memorial Library, 224 Main St.

The evening will feature the New England Camera Club Council’s black and white circuit, a review by an experienced critic of competition prints. The NECCC is a long-established organization devoted to photographic education.

A second offering will be a presentation of photographs by club member Georges Herzog. Club members will also bring examples of their own work for comment and review. There is no charge for this program and the public is invited to attend.

WOOD WORKING TRADITIONS: Are you are tired of cutting, splitting, hauling, or just looking at firewood? Then come to the Winter Farmers’ Market on Saturday, Feb. 9, to see wood in a whole different way. Works in Wood is the theme this week at the market. Visitors will see amazing woodworking artistry -- traditional chairs and other pieces being carved, wood turning in action and more. Come to see what else that chunk of fire wood could be, and maybe bring home a piece or two -- a wooden bowl, one-of-a-kind birdhouse, cutting board, wooden toy, traditional chair, wine stopper, pen, shaving brush and more. Beautiful, functional and fun works of wood that can last a lifetime.

In addition, you’ll find over 20 regular market vendors offering local apples, potatoes, garlic, carrots, eggs, grass fed meats, rare plants and maybe even some fresh local greens, along with maple syrup, jams, mustards and preserves, local wine, fresh baked breads and beautiful sweet treats. Or perhaps a piece of beautiful hand thrown pottery, handcrafted jewelry, a beautiful sari scarf, or a handmade beeswax candle is what you are looking for. Live local music from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Winter Farmers’ Market is sponsored by Post Oil Solutions and is open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Robert H. Gibson River Garden on Main Street every Saturday through March 30. For more information, e-mail farmersmarket@postoilsolutions.org or call 802-869-2141.

BOSTON FLOWER SHOW: Brattleboro Senior Center and First Choice Tours invites any flower or garden enthusiasts to attend the Annual Boston Flower and Garden Show on Friday, March 15. The trip includes round trip transportation, admission to flower show, side trip to Quincy Market, tour escort and gratuities.

If interested, contact the Brattleboro Senior Center 802-257-7570 or stop in Monday through Friday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Payment should be made at time of reservation.

All Brattleboro Senior Trips are open to the public and are for all area adults.

The day’s events will include snow tubing on its 600-foot tubing hill, ice skating and a bonfire with s’mores and hot dogs; entry for the events is only $10 per person. Tubing and ice skating will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the bonfire will start at 2 p.m.

The resort’s most popular activities - Nordic skiing and snowshoeing - will be offered all day, per its usual operation and pricing, as well.

A day of sleigh rides will also be offered, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Pricing is just $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under.

All activities will commence in the Base Area at Grafton Ponds. For additional details or questions, please contact the Grafton Ponds information line at 802-843-2400 or visit www.graftonponds.com.

In Guilford Š

MEXICAN FIESTA: On Saturday, Feb. 9, at the Guilford Grange, the Guilford Central School eighth-grade class of 2013 will host a Mexican Fiesta. Culinary delights will be prepared by Guilford students and parents under the guidance of native Mexican and eighth-grade parent, Aida Avery. Señorita Avery will guide the preparation of the authentic, vegetarian feast sharing many of her mother’s family recipes. The menu will include Mexican Rice, Sopes de Frijoles, Mexican carrot soup, fresh made salsas and guacamole, Mexican wedding cookies, Mexican brownies and homemade limonade. Immediately following dinner, local latin dance instructor Elsa Borrero will be teaching several latin dance steps to those looking to work off their meal.

The schedule is as follows: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., open dinner seating; 7-9, latin dancing with lessons from 7-8 with Elsa for anyone who is interested. This event is a fundraiser to benefit the Guilford eighth-grade class trip to Halifax, Nova Scotia and St. John, New Brunswick, Canada.

For tickets, call Mary at 802-579-6619 or see any Guilford eighth-grader. Tickets (including dinner and dancing) are $10 for adults (ages 12 and over), and $6 for children (ages 6-11), children 5 and under are free.

In Marlboro Š

THE WINTER WORLD OF THE PORCUPINE: Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center will host a field expedition to be held in Marlboro, Sunday, Feb. 10, 1 to 4:30 p.m.

Among the wild species that inhabit this region, few are as easy to study as porcupines in their winter world. During the season of cold and snow, porcupines remain active, but within a small territory, one that includes a den site and the hemlock trees they feed on. BEEC naturalist Patti Smith has been conducting a census of the porcupines near her home in Marlboro, and has been studying their winter behavior and habits, some very predictable and some surprising.

The group will trek to whichever site offers the best observation opportunities, and since porcupines are most often found in steep, rocky places, be prepared for a some scrambling. Explore porcupine feeding preferences and learn to recognize many types of porcupine sign.

Snowshoes may be needed. Dress for the weather.

This program is free. Space is limited; call or e-mail to make a reservation. Visit wwwbeec.org or call 802-257-5785 to register and for more information.

In Newfane Š

SUPER SUPPER: The 28th annual potluck Super Supper, sponsored by the Grace Cottage Hospital Auxiliary will be held Friday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m., at the NewBrook Fire and Rescue building on Route 30, Newfane. This is a potluck supper, so be creative and bring a favorite dish or dessert to share. The auxiliary will provide roasted turkeys and beverages. There will be prizes, 50/50 raffle, and music by the Bills Band will add a little pizzazz to the mid-winter night. All are welcome. For more information call 802-365-4707 or 802-365-4455.

In Putney ...

TABLE MANNERS: The Grammar School is hosting a Table Manners Workshop for Children on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Putney Inn. Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D., spokesperson and presenter for The Emily Post Institute and great-granddaughter of Emily Post will lead the workshop.

The workshop is open to children ages 8 to 13 and will cost $48 per child, which includes the workshop fee, a four-course child-friendly lunch, tip sheets, "So you ..." cards, and Table Manners booklets. Each child will receive an Emily Post Certificate of Completion.

During the meal, children learn about table manners and etiquette including how to navigate a table setting and dine with confidence. Children are introduced to the principles of etiquette -- consideration, respect and honesty -- and how those principles help them to make and keep friends. There is a table manners quiz, pointers on how to eat tricky foods and tips on being a good guest and host.

A parents’ workshop will be offered following the children’s program at no extra cost to participating families. The cost is $10 for parents whose children are not participating in the luncheon.

Space is limited to 60 children and registration will be open to the general public. To enroll, provide names and submit a check payable to The Grammar School with "Manners" in the notation line to Tammy. Should you have any questions, please contact TGS parent Nancy Brooks at nsbrooks1@myfairpoint.net or 603-256-6346.

In Townshend ...

FARMERS’ MARKET: Beginning this year, the Townshend Farmers’ Market will be hosted by the WRCP at its location at the West Townshend Country Store.

The market will be moved to the back garden of the Country Store and be held on Friday afternoons throughout the summer season.

Post Oil Solutions founded this community-based market five years ago. Located on the Townshend Common, it has specialized in locally grown food. Some of the long term vendors have also been actively working to form the West River Community Project whose mission is dedicated to preserving and promoting the West River heritage in order to sustain a healthy future full of music, the arts and local agriculture. The WRCP plans to have a processing kitchen, cafe and local foods market up and running soon. Currently the thrift shop and new cob pizza/bread oven are open and located at the West Townshend Country Store.

GENEALOGY WORKSHOP: A free Genealogy Workshop Sponsored by the Walpole Historical Society will be offered Saturday Feb. 9, from 10 a.m. to noon. Sharing information about how to start or how to solve problems will be Jeanne and Peter Jeffries with over 30 years of research experience. Reservations required at 603-756-2933.

In Windham County...

HEAT FUND DONATIONS: The Windham County Heat Fund presently has families on the waiting list for fuel. The program is for those either not eligible for current fuel assistance programs or who have run out of their assistance allotments.

There is no overhead, all money received goes directly to buying fuel.

Tax deductible donations may be sent to the Windham County Heat Fund, c/o Richard Davis, 679 Weatherhead Hollow Road, Guilford, VT 05301 or stop by at Brattleboro Savings & Loan Assn., 221 Main St. to donate directly.

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